More about gay marriage ban

There are many who support Proposition 8 - an electoral majority, in fact, in California. They are led by church groups who say gay marriage goes against tradition, nature and the teachings of the Bible.

Among them, the Mormons gave millions of dollars to the "Yes on Prop 8" campaign. It was a bitter fight up to election day. More than $70m (£45m) was spent by both sides, much of it on negative, retaliatory TV ads.

Since the vote, gay rights supporters have directed their anger at religious groups. Many rallies have been held outside churches and Mormon temples, including at the religion's headquarters and holiest site in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Mormon church says it took a stand on an important moral issue. Gay groups say religion should stay out of politics. But in America that is hard.